The Case Against Conventional Agriculture

For the last few decades there has been increasing concern globally over
the consequences of conventional agricultural systems, techniques and
principles. In particular, scientists and consumers are concerned about the environmental decline and degradation caused by large-scale
mono-cropping, reliance on external inputs and synthetic fertilisers,
cheap oil dependency, food safety, genetically modified crops and
animals, loss of functionality in rural community, reduced farm profits,
and the takeover of family farms by corporate interests.

Clearing of land for broadscale agriculture including cropping,
horticulture and livestock production has caused major impacts on
biological and ecological diversity and caused land degradation over
vast areas. In Australia, dryland salinity, rising water tables, and
soil erosion and dust storms as a result of clearing and agricultural
practices affect vast areas of the country, rendering the land marginal
at best for continued food production. The annual cost of lost
production from agricultural induced dryland salinity is Australia in
1990 was estimated to be $130 million with a further $100 million each
year in damaged infrastructure. Conventional agricultural techniques are
responsible for water pollution from fertilisers, herbicides and
pesticides, and wetland draining and the overuse of water continues to
cause a loss of biological and ecological diversity.

More recently attention has been given to the impacts on air pollution
from conventional agriculture, including from greenhouse gases such as
carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Health concerns regarding
conventional agricultural practices range include the toxicity of
chemicals used in production, genetic engineering of food substances,
lack of appropriate labeling and ‘food scares’.

It is clear that our present agricultural practices are negatively
impacting on the environment and resources. Additionally, conventional
agricultural practices are contributing to deteriorating health, whilst
over the last 40 years conventional farmers have witnessed a continued
decline in profit margins. With our variable and low rainfalls,
weathered and depleted soils, dispersed geography and small consumer
base, Australia’s agriculture sector is challenged to find more
sustainable agricultural practices. Many conventional farmers and
agro-businesses are looking toward Quality Assurance (QA) and Integrated
Pest Management (IPM) programs to secure credentials in food markets
that are increasingly requiring the agricultural sector to improve their
“green” credentials.